A 600-2000RPM, 120mm PWM fan is supplied with
swept-forward impeller blades. Between the fan and aluminum fins of the heatsink
are vibration absorbing pads to cut down on rattling noises which is always
welcome. Extra fan brackets are included so users can mount an additional fan if
desired. The Hyper 212 Evo retails for about $32USD.

Heatpipe direct touch, or exposed heatpipe base heatsinks are dead common
these days because the technique has proven so effective. Particularly among the
current crop of processors which feature integrated heat spreaders. With the
Hyper 212 Evo, Coolermaster has selected four 6mm diameter heatpipes which are
swagged into a small aluminum block.

There's not a lot of mass at the base of the Hyper 212
Evo, so in addition to keeping its weight under 600 grams, heat is rapidly
conducted to the fin portion of the heatsink.

To improve heat dispersal, the Hyper 212 Evo's heatpipes
are alternatively spaced 13mm as they pierce the aluminum fins. This has the
effect of conducting heat to a larger area of the aluminum fins. The heatpipes
are also set directly in the path of the fastest airflow from the 120mm
Coolermaster fan.

The 120mm PWM fan is held in place on the Hyper 212 Evo
heatsink with plastic clips. To counteract an unbalanced impeller, which can
lead to vibration and rattling noises, small rubber patches are applied to the
four corners of the 120mm PWM fan.

The Hyper 212 Evo accommodates a fan on either side of
the aluminum fin tower. By using the extra fan clips a second 120mm fan can be
installed by those that desire a push-pull fan arrangement.

Heatsink
Installation

Coolermaster's Hyper 212 Evo heatsink is compatible with
Intel socket LGA1366/1155/1156/775 and AMD socket FM1/AM2/AM3 processors. The
heatsink is supplied with a crab-like rear-motherboard metal support bracket
that accommodates every variation of CPU socket and a metal 'switch-blade' clip
that applies force to the heatsink baseplate. Associated screws and nuts to put
it all together, along a small amount of thermal compound round out the
accessory list.

Users will need to access the rear of the motherboard to
install the Hyper 212 Evo, but once the rear support plate is in position the
heatsink can be removed easily thereafter. A single 'switch blade' upper clip is
used on all CPU sockets to hold the Hyper 212 Evo firmly in place, using four
adjustable spring-tensioned screws - set into either tab 1, tab 2 or tab 3
position.

To adjust the screw positions, push the screw in from
the bottom and slide it over to tab 1 (the inner-most) for LGA775, to tab 3
position (the outside) for LGA1366. Failure to do so will quickly lead to a lot
of grief as each socket spacing is just a hair off the next.

FrostyTech's Test Methodologies are outlined in detail here if you care to know what equipment is
used, and the parameters under which the tests are conducted. Now let's move
forward and take a closer look at this heatsink, its acoustic characteristics,
and of course its performance in the thermal tests!